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My FAC is away getting a variation,
If I was stopped by the police on the way to the club tonight (with my rifle in the boot) and no FAC with me, what would happen ?

One would hope they could check the PNC to see I've got a valid FAC and let me go on my way ... is this the case ?

PNC check and on your way me laddo is supposed to be the way it goes, and the way it does go in the vast majority of stops i've heard of.

There are other scenarios which could result in your guns going for a trip to the nearest police station until you could produce a physical certificate or the FLD can be contacted direct, but i think the chances of it happening (providing you've not got F**k The Police by NWA playing as you wind down your window ), are so slim that its not worth worrying about.

I take a photocopy before sending it off for variation.

I keep my FAC on me, until I'm told the variation is completed, then I go and exchange the current FAC for the amended one.
That said, I'm not popular for doing so....but past experience has seen simple one-for-ones & the like here take several MONTHS - hence my keeping a valid FAC for ammo purchases & the like.

A firearms manager once asked me if I had ever been stopped as an FAC holder which struck me as an odd question unless he was hinting at something. I do know of someone who was stopped recently on a routine pull whilst coming off a motorway and whilst carrying firearms. When he volunteered the information they said something along the lines of we know but thank you for telling us, they kicked the tyres, checked the lights and off he went again. At no point did they inspect the firearms or ask to see his FAC.

PNC may also indicate that you are a firearms certificate holder anyway.

As for checking in the car after being stopped depends on the circumstances you were stopped for, most roads policing units would not bother....it just depends.

You have no requirement to advise what you are carrying in your car anyway, unless asked exactly.

Regards

Chris

My understanding (from an ex-copper) is that a vehicle registered to an FAC holder will flag a firearms marker when the registration number is run by car based ANPR or radio checked.

zanes wrote:My understanding (from an ex-copper) is that a vehicle registered to an FAC holder will flag a firearms marker when the registration number is run by car based ANPR or radio checked.

No, most certainly not...

Blackstuff wrote:PNC check and on your way me laddo is supposed to be the way it goes, and the way it does go in the vast majority of stops i've heard of.

There are other scenarios which could result in your guns going for a trip to the nearest police station until you could produce a physical certificate or the FLD can be contacted direct, but i think the chances of it happening (providing you've not got F**k The Police by NWA playing as you wind down your window ), are so slim that its not worth worrying about.

^ This.

CDM5 wrote:I take a photocopy before sending it off for variation.

+1